Carters Beach cleanup shows improvement

There is at least some good news coming out of Carter’s Beach this year on the garbage front

Robert Ross, organizer of the annual Carter’s Beach cleanup and a resident along the road, says it was one of the cleanest years on record.

Over the 13 years he has been involved, Ross says garbage pickers pack up to eight bags worth of garbage. This year that number was down to two.

He attributes the lower volume to a combination of factors. The Department of Environment had a part time student walking the beaches to educate on the sensitive nature of the dunes, and to encourage visitors to pack in and pack out what they bring instead of disposing of it in garbage cans. Visitors using the dunes as outdoor toilets also seems to be on the decline, as Ross said the cleanup crew found fewer tracks and other signs of use.

Ross also credited two Port Mouton residents that walk the beach at least once a day that also pick up garbage as they go.

However Ross says there are still challenges to be addressed such as the volume of traffic, which seems to increase each year. An informal count of cars made at the peak of the season saw over 100 parked in the parking lot and the side of the road.